JP2021153272A - Operation control system and operation control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an operation control system and an operation control method that can limit the operation authority of a user so that a device cannot be operated at a place away from the target device.SOLUTION: An operation control system includes a mobile terminal, and a server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes: an imaging unit that captures a code image attached to the periphery of a target device; a first processing unit that transmits code information included in the code image and user information that can identify the user of the mobile terminal to the server, when the code image is captured; and a second processing unit that transmits the operation command to the target device and operates the target device in response to the operation command when the operation command is received from the server. The server includes an authentication processing unit that authenticates an operation authority of the user on the basis of the code information and the user information when receiving the code information and the user information from the mobile terminal, and transmits the operation command to the mobile terminal when it is determined that the operation is possible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for operating various devices using a mobile terminal such as a smartphone.

High-performance mobile terminals such as smartphones have become widespread, and technologies for operating various devices using mobile terminals have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique capable of unlocking and locking a lock installed on a door of an office or a residence, turning on and off a lighting device, and operating various devices by using a mobile terminal. Has been done.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-11526

For security reasons, you may want to limit the door lock switchgear so that it can only be operated in front of the door. Not limited to the lock opening / closing device, when it is desired to limit the operation authority of the user so that the operation can be performed only in front of each device, for example, it is conceivable to use the position information of the mobile terminal. However, although the position information can be acquired by GPS or a beacon, there may be places where radio waves are difficult to reach, or the accuracy may drop due to radio wave interference. It is desirable to be able to use the positional relationship between the mobile terminal and each device in a way that does not rely on radio waves.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation control system and an operation control method capable of limiting the operation authority of a user so that the device cannot be operated at a place away from the target device.

The operation control system according to one aspect of the present invention is an operation control system including a mobile terminal and a server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes an imaging unit that captures a code image attached to the periphery of the target device. When the code image is imaged, the first processing unit that transmits the code information contained in the code image and the user information that can identify the user of the mobile terminal to the server, and when an operation command is received from the server, the said. It includes a second processing unit that sends an operation command to the target device and operates the target device in response to the operation command. When the server receives the code information and the user information from the mobile terminal, it authenticates the operation authority of the user based on the code information and the user information, and when it is determined that the operation is possible, the server issues an operation command to the mobile terminal. It is equipped with an authentication processing unit that sends information to.

The operation control method according to one aspect of the present invention uses a mobile terminal capable of capturing an image and a server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal. In the operation control method, when the mobile terminal captures a code image attached to the periphery of the target device, the code information included in the code image and the user information that can identify the user of the mobile terminal are stored in the server. When the server receives the code information and user information from the mobile terminal, authenticates the user's operation authority based on the code information and user information, and determines that the operation is possible. Including sending an operation command to a mobile terminal and, when the mobile terminal receives an operation command from a server, sending the operation command to the target device and operating the target device in response to the operation command. There is.

The server according to one aspect of the present invention transmits an operation command for operating the target device to the mobile terminal according to the code image attached to the target device and the user information of the mobile terminal that has captured the code image. .. When the server receives the code information and user information contained in the code image, it authenticates the user's operation authority based on the code information and user information, and when it is determined that the operation is possible, the server issues an operation command. It is equipped with an authentication processing unit that sends information to mobile terminals.

In the authentication method according to one aspect of the present invention, the operation authority of the user is authenticated according to the code image attached to the target device and the user information of the mobile terminal that has captured the code image, and the target device is used for the target device. To operate. The authentication method is that when the server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal receives the code information and the user information included in the code image, the user's operation authority is authenticated based on the code information and the user information, and the operation is performed. When it is determined that it is possible, an operation command for operating the target device is sent to the mobile terminal.

The program according to one aspect of the present invention receives from the mobile terminal the code information included in the code image and the user information that can identify the user of the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal captures the code image. When the code information and user information are received from the mobile terminal, the operation authority of the user is authenticated based on the code information and the user information, and when it is determined that the operation is possible, the operation command is sent to the mobile terminal. Let the computer do that.

According to these aspects, the operation command for operating the device is not transmitted from the server to the mobile terminal unless the code image attached to the target device is captured by an imaging unit such as a camera. The user's operation authority can be restricted so that the device cannot be operated in a place away from the code image. There is a security advantage because the code information contained in the code image can be immediately invalidated by remotely controlling the server even if you are not in the field.

In the above aspect, the code image may be a two-dimensional code printed on the sticker.

According to this aspect, the operation control system can be configured at low cost. Since it is only necessary to attach a sticker on which a code image is printed to an office or a residence, capital investment can be significantly reduced as compared with the case of introducing an NFC reader or the like into an office or a residence. There is no need to worry about the NFC leader being destroyed by mischief. Even if the sticker is peeled off, the damage is small because it is only necessary to print and paste a new sticker. There is a security advantage because the code information can be updated by replacing it with a new sticker at regular intervals.

In the above aspect, the code information includes the operation information that specifies how to operate the target device, and the identification that specifies which of the plurality of devices that can be the target device is selected to operate as the target device. It may contain information.

According to this aspect, even if a plurality of devices are installed in the same place, there is no crosstalk. When operating a plurality of devices with one remote controller or a mobile terminal, the input operation for switching the devices is troublesome. In this mode, since the device identifier is embedded in the code image, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of switching the target device on the application. Since the operation command of the target device can be executed simply by holding the mobile terminal over the code image, for example, if this mode is applied to a private lodging, even a foreigner who does not understand Japanese can intuitively operate multiple devices. Available. You can eliminate the trouble of translating the operation manual into each country's language.

In the above aspect, the mobile terminal may transmit an operation command to the target device using short-range wireless communication.

According to this aspect, even if the code image is illegally copied, short-range wireless communication cannot be performed between the mobile terminal and the target device from a remote location, so that unauthorized use of the target device can be prevented.

In the above aspect, the server may further include a storage unit that stores authentication information indicating which user is allowed to perform what kind of operation on which device. The authentication processing unit may refer to the storage unit and compare the authentication information stored in the storage unit with the user information received from the mobile terminal to determine whether or not the user can operate the code information.

According to this aspect, it can be surely determined whether or not the user has the operation authority by comparing with the authentication information stored in the storage unit.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an operation control system and an operation control method capable of limiting the operation authority of a user so that the device cannot be operated at a place away from the target device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a camera of a mobile terminal is held over a code image to operate a target device. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an operation control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the lock opening / closing device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing an installation location of the lock opening / closing device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which the server transmits an operation command based on the information received from the mobile terminal. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of authentication information stored in the server. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the mobile terminal and the lock opening / closing device when unlocking or locking.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, those having the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the camera of the mobile terminal 200 is held over the code image P to operate the target device. As shown in FIG. 1, one of the features of the operation control system according to the embodiment of the present invention is that the target device is operated by using the imaging of the code image P by the mobile terminal 200 such as a smartphone with a camera as an operation trigger. ..

In the illustrated example, the lock opening / closing device 100 for unlocking and locking the lock installed on the door of an office or a residence is operated as a target device. The operation control system of the present embodiment is not limited to the illustrated example, and the lighting device is turned on and off, the power of the television device is switched on and off, the power of the air conditioner device is switched on and off, the operation control of the fire prevention and crime prevention system, and the automatic curtain. It can be applied to various devices such as open / close control.

The code image P is attached to the periphery of the target device. In the illustrated example, the lock opening / closing device 100 is attached to the indoor side of the door, and the code image P is attached to the outdoor side of the door. The code image P is an image in which code information is embedded. In the illustrated example, the code image P is configured as a two-dimensional code printed on a sticker. The code information is encoded with operation information that specifies how to operate the target device, identification information that specifies which of a plurality of devices that can be the target device is selected to operate as the target device, and the like. Has been included.

The operation information may correspond to an operation command for the lock opening / closing device 100 to unlock the lock, or may correspond to an operation command for the lock opening / closing device 100 to lock the lock. When the lock is locked, the lock opening / closing device 100 may unlock the lock, and when the lock is unlocked, the lock opening / closing device 100 may correspond to an operation command for locking the lock.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an operation control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The operation control system includes a lock opening / closing device 100, which is an example of the target device, a mobile terminal 200 owned by the user, and a server 300 capable of communicating with the mobile terminal 200. The lock opening / closing device 100 is attached to the thumb turn 400 of the door 410, and the lock of the door 410 can be unlocked and locked by rotating the thumb turn 400.

The mobile terminal 200 is connected to the server 300 via the communication network N, and has a function of communicating with the server 300. As the mobile terminal 200, various terminals having a communication function such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a notebook computer, and a home-use game device can be used. The mobile terminal 200 includes an imaging unit such as a camera or a barcode reader, and is configured to be able to capture the code image P shown in FIG. 1 as a still image or a moving image.

The server 300 can provide the mobile terminal 200 with various information about the target device, or the user can authenticate the operation authority to operate the target device and send an operation command to the mobile terminal 200. The server 300 is configured by, for example, a computer having computing power executing a predetermined program.

The communication network N includes a communication network capable of mutually performing information communication between the mobile terminal 200 and the server 300. The communication network N may be, for example, any of the Internet, LAN, leased line, telephone line, corporate network, mobile communication network and other communication lines, and a combination thereof.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the lock opening / closing device 100. In the illustrated example, the lock opening / closing device 100 includes a control unit 10, a memory 20, a short-range communication unit 21, and a thumb turn opening / closing mechanism 22. The control unit 10 is configured by executing a predetermined operation program in, for example, a computer system equipped with a CPU or the like, and has a status processing unit 11 and an open / close control unit 12 as functional blocks. The memory 20 is a storage means such as a non-volatile memory connected to the control unit 10, and stores an operation program executed by the control unit 10 and various data.

The short-range communication unit 21 is connected to the control unit 10, and performs processing related to short-range wireless communication between the control unit 10 and the mobile terminal 200. The short-range wireless communication in the present embodiment includes wireless communication using a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and includes wireless communication using NFC (Near Field Communication) with a communication distance of 10 cm or less. Not limited. Various communication standards capable of constructing a wireless PAN (wireless personal area network) having a communication distance of several tens of meters or less can be used.

The opening / closing control unit 12 operates the thumb turn opening / closing mechanism 22 based on an operation command instructing unlocking or locking received from the mobile terminal 200 by short-range wireless communication. The thumb turn opening / closing mechanism 22 is attached to the thumb turn 400, and rotates the thumb turn 400 to a position corresponding to unlocking and a position corresponding to locking in response to a command given from the opening / closing control unit 12 of the control unit 10. The opening / closing control unit 12 may be configured to give a locking command to the thumb turn opening / closing mechanism 22 when a certain period of time has elapsed after giving the unlocking command to the thumb turn opening / closing mechanism 22.

The status processing unit 11 performs a process of transmitting status information such as the current state of the lock to the mobile terminal 200 by short-range wireless communication as a result of the execution of the operation command. For example, as a result of the unlock command, status information such as "OK" if the lock is unlocked without any problem and "NG" if the lock is not unlocked for some reason is transmitted to the mobile terminal 200.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the installation location of the lock opening / closing device 100. A thumb turn 400 for unlocking and locking the lock is provided on the inner surface of the door 410 facing the indoor side. The lock opening / closing device 100 can be attached to the thumb turn 400. The lock opening / closing device 100 includes a thumb turn 400, a housing 160 that covers the thumb turn 400, and a thumb turn rotating portion 170 that rotates the thumb turn 400.

The housing 160 can be fixed to the door 410 by magnetic force or the like. The thumb turn rotating unit 170 constitutes the thumb turn opening / closing mechanism 22 shown in FIG. 3 together with a motor, a battery, and the like built in the housing 160. The thumb turn rotating portion 170 is provided with a groove for holding the knob of the thumb turn 400. The thumb turn rotating unit 170 is driven by a motor to rotate the thumb turn 400. The battery supplies power to the motor and the control unit 10 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile terminal 200. As shown in FIG. 5, the mobile terminal 200 includes a control unit 30, a memory 40, a short-range communication unit 41, a network communication unit 42, and an imaging unit 43. The control unit 30 is configured by executing a predetermined operation program in, for example, a computer system equipped with a CPU or the like, and has a first processing unit 31 and a second processing unit 32 as functional blocks.

The memory 40 is a storage means such as a non-volatile memory connected to the control unit 30, and stores an operation program and various data executed by the control unit 30. For example, the memory 40 stores data such as a code image captured by the imaging unit 43, user information that can identify the user of the mobile terminal 200, and an operation command received from the server 300.

The short-range communication unit 41 is connected to the control unit 30, and performs processing related to short-range wireless communication between the control unit 30 and the lock opening / closing device 100. As described above, a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used for short-range wireless communication. The network communication unit 42 is connected to the control unit 30, and performs the processing necessary for the control unit 30 to perform information communication with the server 300 via the network N. The imaging unit 43 captures a code image P (shown in FIG. 1) attached to the periphery of the target device, such as a camera.

When the imaging unit 43 captures the code image P, the first processing unit 31 transmits the code information included in the code image P together with the user information described above to the server 300 via the network communication unit 42. The second processing unit 32 stores the operation command received from the server 300 in the memory 40, and performs a process of transmitting the unlocking or locking operation command of the thumb turn 400 to the lock opening / closing device 100.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server 300. As shown in FIG. 6, the server 300 includes a control unit 50, a memory 60, a storage unit 61, and a network communication unit 62. The memory 60 is a storage means such as a non-volatile memory connected to the control unit 50, and stores an operation program executed by the control unit 50 and various data.

The storage unit 61 is a storage device having a large storage capacity such as a hard disk device, and stores information necessary for the operation of the control unit 50. The network communication unit 62 is connected to the control unit 50, and performs the processing necessary for the control unit 50 to perform information communication with the mobile terminal 200 via the communication network N.

The control unit 50 is configured by executing a predetermined operation program in, for example, a computer system equipped with a CPU or the like, and has a first authentication processing unit 51 and a second authentication processing unit 52 as functional blocks. The first and second authentication processing units 51 and 52 are examples of the authentication processing units according to the present embodiment. The first authentication processing unit 51 performs an authentication process for confirming whether or not the user of the mobile terminal 200 is a user registered in the server 300 in response to a request transmitted from the mobile terminal 200.

In the authentication process, the first authentication processing unit 51 uses, for example, "which user", "for which device", and "what operation" stored in the user ID and the storage unit 61 transmitted from the mobile terminal 200. Is allowed? ”And other information is compared to determine whether or not the user has the operating authority. The second authentication processing unit 52, for example, authenticates the operation authority of the user, and when the first authentication processing unit 51 determines that the user can operate the received code information, the second authentication processing unit 52 operates an operation command for operating the target device. Is transmitted to the mobile terminal 200.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which the server 300 transmits an operation command based on the information received from the mobile terminal 200. The unlocking code image P attached around the lock opening / closing device 100 contains, for example, code information such as identification information (device ID) "x" and operation information "unlocking" corresponding to the lock opening / closing device 100. It is embedded. As shown in FIG. 7, when the user captures the code image P using the mobile terminal 200, the first processing unit 31 of the mobile terminal 200 can identify the user such as a user ID (hereinafter, “user information”). The code information included in the code image P is transmitted to the server 300 via the network communication unit 42. The first authentication processing unit 51 of the server 300 determines whether or not the code information and the user information have been received from the mobile terminal 200 (step S11).

While the code information and the user information are not received (step S11; NO), the determination in step S11 is repeated. The transmission from the mobile terminal 200 is performed using, for example, a dedicated application or a web browser installed on the mobile terminal 200. When the code information is received (step S11; YES), the first authentication processing unit 51 of the server 300 causes the user of the mobile terminal 200 to use this device based on the code information and the user information received from the mobile terminal 200. On the other hand, it is determined what kind of operation is permitted (step S12).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of authentication information stored in the server 300. Information such as "which user", "for which device", and "what kind of operation is permitted" is stored in the storage unit 61 of the server 300. In the illustrated authentication information, for example, when the user A uses the mobile terminal 200 to image the unlocking code image P attached around the device x, the user ID "A", the device ID "x", and the operation content are displayed. The information "unlocking" is transmitted from the mobile terminal 200 to the server 300. The server 300 compares the received information with the authentication information, determines whether or not A can unlock x, and in the example shown in FIG. 8, authenticates the user A as having the operation authority.

Further, for example, when the user A images the unlocking code image P attached to the periphery of the device y using the mobile terminal 200 at 20:00, the server 300 collates the received information with the authentication information. It is determined that the user A does not have the operation authority. By modifying the table of authentication information shown in FIG. 8, the administrator of the operation control system can finely set which device can be operated by each user when and how.

When the user has the operation authority (step S12; YES), the second authentication processing unit 52 uses the operation command (for example, unlocking operation of the lock) of the target device authenticated by the first authentication processing unit 51. It is transmitted to the mobile terminal 200 of the person (step S13). If the user does not have the operation authority (step S12; NO), the second authentication processing unit 52 does not transmit the operation command of the target device (step S14). At this time, the second authentication processing unit 52 may display an error message on the mobile terminal 200.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the mobile terminal 200 and the lock opening / closing device 100 when unlocking or locking. As shown in FIG. 9, the second processing unit 32 of the mobile terminal 200 transmits an operation command received from the server 300 to the lock opening / closing device 100 via the short-range communication unit 41 (step S21). The control unit 10 of the lock opening / closing device 100 receives an operation command from the mobile terminal 200 via the short-range communication unit 21 (step S22).

The opening / closing control unit 12 gives a command to the thumb turn opening / closing mechanism 22 based on the operation command received from the mobile terminal 200 to operate the thumb turn opening / closing mechanism 22 (step S23). The status processing unit 11 transmits status information indicating an operation result to the mobile terminal 200 via the short-range communication unit 21 (step S24).

The second processing unit 32 of the mobile terminal 200 receives the status information from the lock opening / closing device 100 via the short-range communication unit 41 (step S25). After that, the second processing unit 32 of the mobile terminal 200 transmits the status information to the server 300 via the network communication unit 42 (step S26). In addition, every time the processing of the operation command is completed, the second processing unit 32 of the mobile terminal 200 may delete the operation command stored in the memory 40. This makes it possible to prevent unauthorized use of operation commands.

According to the above embodiment, the target device can be operated as long as the code image P attached to the target device is within a distance that can be captured by the image pickup unit 43 such as a camera. Since the operation command is transmitted from the mobile terminal 200 to the target device using short-range wireless communication, even if the code image P is copied and the target device is operated at a place away from the target device, the target device cannot be operated. Further, since the information stored in the server 300 can be rewritten to invalidate the code image P, even if the code image P is illegally used, the code image can be changed immediately and security can be ensured.

The embodiments described above are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not for limiting and interpreting the present invention. Each element included in the embodiment and its arrangement, material, condition, shape, size, and the like are not limited to those exemplified, and can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the configurations shown in different embodiments can be partially replaced or combined.

10, 30, 50 ... Control unit, 11 ... Status processing unit, 12 ... Open / close control unit, 20, 40, 60 ... Memory, 21, 41 ... Short-range communication unit, 22 ... Thumb turn opening / closing mechanism, 31 ... First processing unit , 32 ... 2nd processing unit, 42, 62 ... Network communication unit, 43 ... Imaging unit, 51 ... 1st authentication processing unit (an example of authentication unit), 52 ... 2nd authentication processing unit (another example of authentication unit) , 61 ... storage unit, 100 ... lock opening / closing device (example of target device), 160 ... housing, 170 ... thumb turn rotating unit, 200 ... mobile terminal, 300 ... server (example of computer), 400 thumb turn, 410 ... door, P ... code image, N ... communication network.

Claims (9)

An operation control system including a mobile terminal and a server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal.
The mobile terminal
An imaging unit that captures a code image attached to the periphery of the target device,
When the code image is imaged, the first processing unit that transmits the code information included in the code image and the user information that can identify the user of the mobile terminal to the server.
A second processing unit that transmits the operation command to the target device when the operation command is received from the server and operates the target device in response to the operation command is provided.
The server
When the code information and the user information are received from the mobile terminal, the operation authority of the user is authenticated based on the code information and the user information, and when it is determined that the operation is possible, the operation is performed. An authentication processing unit that sends a command to the mobile terminal is provided.
Operation control system. The code image is a two-dimensional code printed on the sticker.
The operation control system according to claim 1. The code information includes operation information that specifies how to operate the target device, and identification that specifies which of a plurality of devices that can be the target device is selected to operate as the target device. Contains information,
The operation control system according to claim 1 or 2. The mobile terminal transmits the operation command to the target device using short-range wireless communication.
The operation control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The server further includes a storage unit that stores authentication information indicating which user is allowed to perform what kind of operation on which device.
The authentication processing unit refers to the storage unit, compares the authentication information stored in the storage unit with the user information received from the mobile terminal, and can the user operate the code information. to decide,
The operation control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An operation control method using a mobile terminal capable of capturing an image and a server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal.
When the mobile terminal captures a code image attached to the periphery of the target device, the code information included in the code image and the user information that can identify the user of the mobile terminal are transmitted to the server. To do,
When the server receives the code information and the user information from the mobile terminal, it authenticates the operation authority of the user based on the code information and the user information, and determines that the operation is possible. When sending an operation command to the mobile terminal, and
When the mobile terminal receives the operation command from the server, the operation command is transmitted to the target device, and the target device is operated in response to the operation command.
Operation control method. A server that transmits an operation command for operating the target device to the mobile terminal according to a code image attached to the target device and user information of the mobile terminal that has captured the code image.
When the code information included in the code image and the user information are received, the operation authority of the user is authenticated based on the code information and the user information, and when it is determined that the operation is possible, the operation is performed. An authentication processing unit that sends a command to the mobile terminal is provided.
server. It is an authentication method that authenticates the operation authority of the user according to the code image attached to the target device and the user information of the mobile terminal that has captured the code image, and causes the mobile terminal to operate the target device.
When the server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal receives the code information included in the code image and the user information, the operation authority of the user is authenticated based on the code information and the user information. When it is determined that the target device can be operated, an operation command for operating the target device is transmitted to the mobile terminal.
Authentication method. When the mobile terminal captures the code image, the code information included in the code image and the user information that can identify the user of the mobile terminal are received from the mobile terminal.
When the code information and the user information are received from the mobile terminal, the operation authority of the user is authenticated based on the code information and the user information, and when it is determined that the operation is possible, an operation command is given. To the mobile terminal,
A program that causes a computer to run.

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